Bright pinks, purples, yellows, blues, greens, and oranges decorated Bethlehem United Methodist Church Family Life Center in May. More than 150 scholars and their families gathered with Davie Community Foundation donors and volunteers to celebrate student success. The 2009 theme, “Your Future’s So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades!”, was designed to recognize achievements and encourage young people to pursue possibilities.
Following the “inside cookout”, guests were treated to words of wisdom from former Davie High graduates through a video presentation put together by Ms. Page’s Videography Class. Beth Phillips, now CEO of Mary Phillips Designs; Ellyn Johnson, now Dr. Ellyn Johnson of Carolina Center for Eye Care; Blair Halver, now Sound Engineer for the Dr. Phil Show and the World Poker Tour; Michael Foster, now Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army; and Brent Campbell, now anchor and reporter for Fox 8 News, all shared words of encouragement and some terrific advice for current graduates. “The parents and donors especially enjoyed hearing from former students,” said Gladys Scott, Co-Chair of the event. “Some of the adults knew the graduates when they were high school students. It was really exciting to hear about their success as adults.”
The Davie Community Foundation will administer 18 different scholarships with 42 recipients for the 2009-2010 school year. Whether the student selections are made by the Foundation Selection Committee or community committees, these scholarships all represent endowments that are now invested through the Foundation. “Families, organizations, and even alumni classes are starting endowments to provide long term support for Davie Students,” said Jane Simpson, Davie Community Foundation president. “We also have a Community Scholarship Fund that is made up of gifts from many people in the county who want to help support the education of our young people. At the Foundation, there is a place for everyone who wishes to do good things for young people.”
